as i see it - Pt. III

[Sasun]

But how can we ever know who's telling the truth and who isn't? And how can we truly trust our own instincts about what the truth is? Don't you think that we believe what we want to believe, Sasun?

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There are ways to know who is telling the truth. Nothing is impossible although some things are very hard and nearly impossible. It is not about trusting instincts. Instincts belong to the animal kingdom. Intuition is another thing, this is for the humans. Many things can be deduced by using intellect. Once can know more by using intuition (example, major sceintific discoveries were possible only after intellect was coupled with intuitive knowledge). And the highest way of knowing is by employing spiritual ways. It is for that reason that Lao Tzu said "Knowing is not knowing". This same idea has been said in many wasy by various men. It means if you really want to know major truths you should go beyond intellect...

 

Speaking of telling charlatans from true spiritual masters, there are simple ways to know. Everyone will agree that true spiritual people do not care about wealth. I can understand spiritual people owning moderate material properties for unavoidable necessities, like a roof on top of ones head and money to feed oneself and perform some spiritual functions, but this so called "rev" Moon has accumulated enourmous wealth and is engaged in lobbying politicians at the US Capitol Hill. How can he be a spiritual master? Another way to tell is he tries to diminish Jesus Christ by telling he is higher than Christ, trying to refute the immaculate nature of Jesus's birth, etc. He frightens Christians that they will go to hell unless they join his group and believe in him and only him, according to him it is not enough that a Christian believes in Christ, but they cannot avoid hell without his path.

[ara baliozian]

Saturday, September 25, 2004

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FROM AN AFRICAN NOVEL.

MORE ON WRITERS AND COMMISSARS.

ON ARMENIAN IDENTITY.

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

OUR PANCHOONIE RACKET.

GOD, OUR FATHER.

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From a contemporary African novel: "as ugly and dirty as a hyena's anus."

*

No one and nothing can be as contemptible as a writer in an environment dominated by commissars of culture. Which is why I prefer to identify myself as a concerned citizen. And if, on occasion, I have committed the unforgivable blunder of calling myself a writer, it has been only in the sense of one who uses the written word as a means of communication - as in "the writer of this memo."

*

If you chart the family tree of a commissar of culture, you are sure to find at least two hangmen, three cold-blooded murderers, several career criminals, and a minimum of a dozen jailbirds.

*

In a non-democratic environment one cannot speak of the voice of the people ("vox populi") which has been identified in the past with the voice of god ("vox dei"). One can speak only of the voice of an elite or a power structure, which is more akin to the voice of the Devil. And now, consider the fact that throughout our millennial history we have at no time experienced democratic rule. Even in democratic environments like the United States, France and Canada, we are dominated by non-representative cliques that are as representative as exclusive clubs. As for the so-called democracy in Armenia today: it is as representative as a criminal gang or a mafia.

*

An Armenian born and raised in the United States will share more in common with his fellow Americans than with an Armenian born and raised in the USSR. Most Armenians today might as well be foreigners to one another. But whereas the laws of the land promote solidarity in America (which is also populated by foreigners), the absence of similar laws or values in our case moves us in opposite directions, namely, mutual mistrust, alienation, and assimilation.

*

The only time an Armenian will speak of brotherhood is when he goes into the business of raising funds, which I like to call our "Panchoonie racket."

*

I am willing to concede that even if god doesn't exist, we should live as though he did, otherwise we may end up slaughtering one another. But man, it seems, is so predisposed to slaughter that he will slaughter even in the name of a merciful and compassion god.

*

The aim of propaganda, it has been said, is to deceive your friends, not your enemies. Imagine, if you can, a Turk falling for our chauvinist crapola….

*

After being verbally abused by our commissars and partisans (but I repeat myself) I can truly testify to the fact that an Armenian's tongue can be "sharper than a Turk's yataghan" (Zarian) and uglier than a hyena's anus.

#

[ara baliozian]

Sasun:

if we assume, like Gandhi, that God and Truth are one, and also that none of us in a position to define the Truth, then of course we have no argument.

And if we say, when it comes to Hinduism and the cast system: we should reject the negative and accept the positive: then again we have no argument.

 

as for theologians: there is an entire library of books by celebrated theologians, historians, and scholars, who claim that the Jesus of the New Testament is a myth. He never existed.

 

But again if we agree to get rid of the negative in Christianity (the Papacy, the Crusades, the dogmas, the mumbo jumbo, the power structure, the hierarchy, the intolerance, the monopoly of Truth, the burning of the heretics, the destruction of the classics, the Dark Ages, the persecution of scientists, and so on) then by all means again we don't have an argument.

 

But once you get rid of the negative in organized religions, then you have become, like Tolstoy, an apostate, a heretic, a pariah, an outsider, and a sinner who is condemned to burn in hell!

 

And this is exactly what i and all enlightened people have against religions: their phony authority that more often than not perverts the message of love, mercy, and compassion to intolerance, hatred, war and massacre. / ara

[ara baliozian]

Sunday, September 26, 2004

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INFORMATION AND WISDOM.

LITTLE BOYS AND BIG BOYS.

ON THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE.

ON LOSING AN ARGUMENT.

ON FICTION.

****************************************

There is a natural tendency in all of us to overestimate the wisdom of someone who knows something we don’t know, or to confuse information with wisdom.

*

Everyone knows something no one knows, even if what he knows is about himself and his experiences.

*

Little boys brag about things they haven’t done or cannot do. Big boys brag about things they neither know nor understand, all the while hoping no one can tell if they are bragging.

*

In life, the crucified do not always rise on the third day.

*

A bishop will never lose an argument if losing it would mean defrocking himself. Neither will a born-again lose an argument if losing it would mean being dead again.

*

Reality or life is a succession of false starts, vicious circles, and dead-ends. Faith or a belief system allows us to think otherwise by reducing life to a one-dimensional operation in which all questions have answers, the end is predictable, and man is subject to rigid laws. In other words, a belief system is a program and a believer is one who constantly programs himself in order to eliminate the uncertain, the irrational, and the incomprehensible by means of prayer and ritual, also known as incantation and mumbo jumbo.

*

There is a visible as well as an invisible universe. Great many questions about the visible universe remain unanswered. As for the invisible: we know nothing about it. We don’t even know if it is an extension of the visible. To believe means to reduce the mystery of reality by assuming that since we know the Creator, we need all we need to know about His creation. I am somewhat simplifying things, but not as much as a man of faith simplifies reality.

*

Every novel has a central theme or thesis, which can be expressed in a single sentence or brief paragraph. I speak only of themes because I have a horror of boring my readers with imaginary characters, landscapes and dialogue. When I was a child, words like “Once upon a time,” were pure magic. But I am no longer a child, and dark forests, castles, palaces and beautiful princesses no longer exercise the same spell on me. And it is beyond me why anyone would be interested to read such an opening sentence as “The bell rang and I went to the front and opened the door,” or “It was on my wanderings that I first met my beloved.”

*

Fine sentiments and thoughts should be expressed either in a fine style or with the utmost simplicity, because even a hint of pretentiousness may expose the writer as a counterfeit.

*

It has been observed that even when our words have wings they may fly in unpredictable directions.

#

[DominO123]

There is a visible as well as an invisible universe. Great many questions about the visible universe remain unanswered. As for the invisible: we know nothing about it. We don’t even know if it is an extension of the visible. To believe means to reduce the mystery of reality by assuming that since we know the Creator, we need all we need to know about His creation. I am somewhat simplifying things, but not as much as a man of faith simplifies reality.

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This I like Ara. But be updated, the next time use multiverse insteed of universe.

[Sasun]

Ara, I am glad we are starting to somehow understand each other.

 

as for theologians: there is an entire library of books by celebrated theologians, historians, and scholars, who claim that the Jesus of the New Testament is a myth. He never existed.

 

There are also flat earth believers. Myth is a myth and testament is testament, let's not confuse these things with each other.

 

But again if we agree to get rid of the negative in Christianity (the Papacy, the Crusades, the dogmas, the mumbo jumbo, the power structure, the hierarchy, the intolerance, the monopoly of Truth, the burning of the heretics, the destruction of the classics, the Dark Ages, the persecution of scientists, and so on) then by all means again we don't have an argument.

 

I agree with you in principle (though I don't see anything wrong in Papacy if the Pope is as good as the present Pope). What I disagree with is your exaggerated presentation of the negative in Christianity and nearly everything else you talk about it.

 

But once you get rid of the negative in organized religions, then you have become, like Tolstoy, an apostate, a heretic, a pariah, an outsider, and a sinner who is condemned to burn in hell!

 

It does not have to be the case. St Francis of Assisi was not dogmatic and did not fall in the prescribed rigid category of the Catholic Church, yet he is one of the Catholic saints. He had disciples like Jesus had, he was a Christian guru, something not typical and perhaps not acceptable to many Catholics.

 

And this is exactly what i and all enlightened people have against religions: their phony authority that more often than not perverts the message of love, mercy, and compassion to intolerance, hatred, war and massacre. / ara

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You can't generalize in such a manner. I started arguing with you that Hinduism is different. It stands tall among all other religions with several advantages: it is not dogmatic, it is universal, it is not stagnated but develops and purifies on its own, it tolerates and accepts all other religions, it is barely institutionalized (there is no such thing as Hindu church authority), its sole aim is to serve man's spiritual advancement towards one goal in many paths. If you take the small negativities such as caste and infusion of political/secular fanaticism (something new to Indian history) there is much more positive aspects left than you think.

Edited September 26, 2004 by Sasun

[Sasun]

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Faith or a belief system allows us to think otherwise by reducing life to a one-dimensional operation in which all questions have answers, the end is predictable, and man is subject to rigid laws. In other words, a belief system is a program and a believer is one who constantly programs himself in order to eliminate the uncertain, the irrational, and the incomprehensible by means of prayer and ritual, also known as incantation and mumbo jumbo.

 

There is a visible as well as an invisible universe. Great many questions about the visible universe remain unanswered. As for the invisible: we know nothing about it. We don’t even know if it is an extension of the visible. To believe means to reduce the mystery of reality by assuming that since we know the Creator, we need all we need to know about His creation. I am somewhat simplifying things, but not as much as a man of faith simplifies reality.

 

It is a bogus theory invented by skeptics based on mere ignorance and the un-scientific way of thinking that if I don't know something then others also don't know it, if I can't know something then others also can't know. Since there is no proof for that it is nothing more than a superficial speculation.

Faith and belief system are not the same thing. Faith is intuitive knowledge of the reality beyond five senses. There is a lot of evidence to that in the history of all religions and spiritual practicise. If you are ignorant of that you better say that you are ignorant but not project your not knowing as truth.

Persistent and sincere prayer is answered. This is as good a truth as scientific truths proven by scientific method. The proof of that is to pray persistently and sincerely. Without doing this only an ignoramus will claim that prayer does not work.

Same goes with meditation and incantation. The truths in religion are found by meditation, not by an analysing mind. Meditation is more powerful than prayer. One of the highest Hindu truths is "Thou art That", meaning you are the Truth, the God. This is what the Vedas tell, and as such they are infallible. We also read in the Bible Jesus saying "I and my Father are One". This is the same universal truth said in different words. Thus Bible too is infallible as much as its truths hold true at all times and places. Buddhism has the same truth yet in different words, and all other religions say the same thing.

How is this truth arrived at? By spiritual practice of prayer and meditation. To an ignorant man this may sound mumbo jumbo or propaganda, that is not a tragedy though. Ignorance is somewhat OK, but promoting ignorance is not OK. Not knowing the Spirit is also somewhat OK, but denying it is not OK. And this, Ara, is my major disagreement with you and all other skeptics. I can understand Socrates saying "we don't know gods", he is a wise and honest philosopher to say that. He has arrived at a state of mind where it is clear that mind itself is limited to know all things. Mind can go far indeed, but not as far as to know everything. However, other wise men thank Socrates for this truth and go farther in attaining knowledge by employing spiritual methods. They too are wise and honest like Socrates, they too know that limitations of the mind, but they have discovered a way to surpass the limitations of the mind and go beyond further and further in attaining knowledge by practice of meditation. They would not like to keep anyone in the dark and have them blindly believe in their findings. Instead, they open the paths to knowledge and encourage everyone to walk along those paths. This way nobody is denied the truth, and everyone in time arrives at the same one Truth. That testfies the truthfulness of their knowledge. This is the scientific way of establishing truth. Truth is repeatable and verifiable. If it was not the same found by others then it would prove false. The existence of God/Truth/Light/Bliss/Heavenly Father or whatever you may want to call is a universal truth, and attaining to this truth can be verified and repeated by each and every individual regardless of race, color, gender, age, religious denomination, etc. However it is not readily available, it takes a long time and enourmous dedication to gradually arrive at the truth. Having faith means unwillfully having bits and hints of this knowledge. Mind, talk, debates and discussion have not been useful in such endeavor, but only prayer, meditation, incantation and other spiritual means.

This is the essence of all religions. Feel free to discard dogmas and anything else that go against knowledge but please do not be as ignorant as to proclaim that prayer, meditation and mysticism are mumbo jumbo. It is OK if you are unable to understand it, but it is not OK to present your not-understanding, or in other words your ignorance, as truth. There are people with greater knowledge who not only understand such but also are very happy to explain to anyone who is willing to listen, learn, practice with patience and dedication.

Edited September 26, 2004 by Sasun

[ara baliozian]

Monday, September 27, 2004

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WHEN BELIEF SYSTEMS CLASH.

PREACHING TO THE CONVERTED.

HOW TO JUDGE A NEW IDEA.

REALITY AND PROPAGANDA.

EXPLOITING DUPES.

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It is a mistake to judge a belief system on its own terms. It is only when it clashes with other belief systems that it arouses the irrational and the crocodilian in man.

*

If I had a choice between a hundred readers who don’t agree with me and ten readers who do, I would choose the hundred for the very simple reason that there is no merit in preaching to the converted.

*

One of the worst mistakes we can make is to approach a new idea with the question: “Is it for us or against us?” We should ask instead: Does it make sense? Does it appeal to our reason or to our emotions? Is it consistent with established facts?

*

Whenever a reader writes that he enjoys reading me, I cannot help reflecting that I must be doing something wrong. I don’t write for anyone’s enjoyment.

*

The best way to see the discrepancy between reality and propaganda is to study history and compare what happened with what was said by politicians on both sides of the conflict.

*

The astonishing ease with which most people believe their side of the story and the ruthless cynicism with which leaders on both sides exploit this human weakness.

*

Islam says, “If the enemy is an infidel, he deserves to be slaughtered.” Christianity says, “If Almighty God is on our side, we can’t lose.” The clash of these two belief systems resulted in the senseless slaughter of nearly two million Armenians. I am not saying religion was the main cause of our genocide, but I hope no one will disagree with me if I say it was a contributing factor.

#

[ara baliozian]

Sasun:

i am afraid the distance between us is so vast that it cannot be bridged with words and ideas. I trust life and experience much more than i trust my power with arguments. I am sure there will come a time when you will reconsider your dogmatic assertions. But i will continue to reflect on this subject in future instalments...and i don't expect you to agree with me, since the disagreement between men of faith and skeptics or humanists has a long history with no end in sight. / ara

[Sasun]

I trust life and experience much more than i trust my power with arguments.

 

And what experience do you have to claim that practices such as meditation, prayer and incantation are mumbo jumbo? I believe you have none, and your assertion based on no experience would be easily considered a dogma.

 

I am sure there will come a time when you will reconsider your dogmatic assertions.

 

Please explain what part of my views are dogmatic. You never really answered my questions so I am in the dark as to what is it exactly that you disagree in my reasoning. I can't be logical and wrong at the same time, can I?

 

You see, I have raised logical points. I come from a scientific background, and I think the scientific method is the best in reasoning. I would be dogmatic if I claimed some thing without any logic or experience. All I am saying, you can't judge the world based on your experience solely. You personally have no experience of spiritual practice, therefore you are not in a position to judge it. Meditation is a sceintific method of attaining to knowledge, it is universal, everyone can do that. You can also do that. It relies upon consistent practice and uses subtle properties of the human organism. Once you practice meditation you will get the same knowledge as others who have practiced. And my assertions are fruits of meditation repeated over and over again for several millenia of practice of meditation. Now please tell me where is dogma here?

 

If you pray in the right way, your prayers will be answered. Please try, then if after some time it doesn't work then come back and tell me I was wrong. But without trying you have no case.

 

Incantation of words is another way to knowledge. Words and consciousness are closely related, and knowledge is consciousness. Thus incantation of certain words is known to lead to knowledge. This is the theory, experience is another thing. Please practice incantation, then come back and say if it didn't work. It worked for many who really practiced. So there is both the theory and experience. Having none of the above and claiming it as mumbo jumbo is a thing of dogma, there is no knowledge but only skepticism.

 

I would like to see what you think about what I just said. So far you have made claims, will you actually have a logical argument or not? I want to know what you actually know about prayer, meditation and incantation.

[nairi]

There's a saying: "Where there is a will there is way." I think this goes for prayers and incantations. If you genuinely want something and you "pray" for it, you will most likely get it (and I'm not talking about material necessarily).

 

As for meditation, it works for me. Well, my own kind of meditation

[THOTH]

. Myth is a myth and testament is testament, let's not confuse these things with each other.

 

no wrong...at least this statement is incorrect if you claim that the "myths" of ancient Egypt of Sumer etc/for example are just "myths" and not indeed equal testament to anyting in the Bible...in fact I would claim these are more so accurate testaments - or at least more likely probable (and BTW they are written as such)...as the bible - particualrly the new testament is such an obvious fabrication and manipulation...OK I'll take that back - the old testament is even more fabricated and manipulated (and stolen from others)...but yes - funny how conviently the new testament draws on nearly all the messanic (and cyclical rebirth etc etc ) stories before it - and how the text was written to fit into certain prophecy form the old....yet - its fabrications are most clear - particularly with the various discrepencies of the life and words of the supposed christ. Can't you understand - these "passion of the Christ" and such events - never happened! They are myth as they are derived from earlier myth (or OK perhaps testament...but not testament about anyone named jesus...). The New testament stories (contradictory in detail) - are clearly contrived. They have no cooroborating evidence other then themselves - clearly a book of propaganda that meet no standards of evidence (to be considered as testimony) whatsoever!

[THOTH]

There's a saying: "Where there is a will there is way." I think this goes for prayers and incantations. If you genuinely want something and you "pray" for it, you will most likely get it (and I'm not talking about material necessarily).

 

As for meditation, it works for me. Well, my own kind of meditation

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So I take it you have never really wanted a male life partner after all eh?

[THOTH]

For Sasun -

Gong - form Angels Egg:

 

Sold To The Highest Buddha

 

I'm zero the hero

And my head has floated away in the sky - don't know why

And now this spaceship headin' for me

I thought I was lost in the spaces and now all these faces...

And still I can't tell if it's really a spell

or exactly what's happenin' to me...

 

Look out, we're being invaded !

Hang on to your hat, we're being raided !

And Captain Capricorn, that's who's behind it

If nothing's there to find, you know he'll find it

 

Hang on to your head

Hang on to your head

Hang on to your head

Hang on to your head...

 

It's a hassle you know to make rocket ships go to infinity

And I'm so sick of God and these bishops that talk of divinity

Now my head's feeling strange and my codpiece is starting to tremble

And that head in the sky there is starting to look like the devil...

 

Look out, we're being invaded !

Hang on to your hat, we're being raided !

Demons of the mind coming to get you

Until you're clean, the devil won't forget you...

Hang on to your head

 

Hang on to your head

Hang on to your head

Hang on to your head...

Edited September 27, 2004 by THOTH

[THOTH]

more form Gong (Angels Egg)..

 

Love Is How You Make It

 

I left my body on my bed

I flew away inside my head

To dive right through the moon and find

A perfect world inside my mind

I want to take you there

Smiling through your hair

 

That is why I sing this song

And why there is a band called Gong

Voices in our heads are calling

Ringing bells and singing tales of

How this world could be

If only we could learn to melt together

Make such lovely weather

 

Maybe we will blow it like in bygone ages

Maybe we will make it if we care

You'll be there

We'll be there - love...

 

Love is how you live it

Love is how you give it

Love is how you make it

Love is how you take it

First you make it with your body

Everything you give to share

When you come together then you're

One with lovers everywhere, everywhere...

 

Give a little wink, give a little wink

You know...

 

You know just who the pot head pixies are

Have a little drink...

[Sasun]

There's a saying: "Where there is a will there is way." I think this goes for prayers and incantations. If you genuinely want something and you "pray" for it, you will most likely get it (and I'm not talking about material necessarily).

 

As for meditation, it works for me. Well, my own kind of meditation

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You too meditate? Good for you!

 

Ara, consider meditating, there is no way to convince anyone other than you take up meditation.

[Sasun]

For Sasun -

Gong - form Angels Egg:

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Your singing sucks, go climb mount Kilimanjaro instead!

 

P.S. You are way off topic.

[ara baliozian]

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

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ON THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

A MONUMENT TO HUMAN DEGRADATION.

THE AIM OF CRITICISM.

***********************************************

As a child I was brought up to believe all prayers are eventually answered. If we assume that to be true, we must also assume that the millions of innocent civilians who were senselessly slaughtered during two world wars did not pray hard enough; and they did not pray hard enough probably because their faith in God was not of sufficient strength to meet God’s standards. Which also means that in some minimal way, they contributed to their own demise. This type of thinking is another proof of the fact that organized religions, and men of faith in general, are first and foremost in the business of dehumanizing not only their fellow men but also diminishing God. Because, if you think about it, what kind of God would allow children to be slaughtered simply because He was disappointed in the quantity and quality of their prayers? But then, what kind of God would ask a decent father to butcher his own son (see GENESIS) to test his loyalty? Can God be so insecure as to be in need of a poor mortal’s loyalty? And if He knows everything, shouldn’t he already know the answers to His own questions?

*

The most underdeveloped countries are also the most religious. Two cases in point: Mexico and India. Where religion plays a central role, there will also be poverty, disease, corruption, prejudice, ignorance, and overpopulation. Are we to assume Mexican and Indian children deserve their fate because their parents did not pray hard enough?

*

If Armenians were slaughtered because they more or less deserved it, does that mean the Turks did what they did with God’s consent? Or perhaps Sultan Abdulhamid II and Talaat were His messengers?

*

I read in today’s paper that Taj Mahal (described as “a monumental love nest” and “India’s most famous monument”) was built 350 years ago. When I think of Taj Mahal I do not consider its beauty but the degradation of poor anonymous laborers who worked on its constructions to memorialize the love of two individuals who should have been hanged from the nearest tree for their arrogance and greed for immortality.

*

Only the abysmally ignorant view criticism as an expression of hostility rather than concern.

#

[ara baliozian]

Ara, consider meditating, there is no way to convince anyone other than you take up meditation.

 

everything i write is a result of meditation.

most christians prefer to read and quote the bible rather than to meditate. in other words, they let the scriptures do their thinking for them.../ ara

[Sasun]

Something must be pointed out: not all prayers get answered, and prayer is not the answer for many many things in life, this is commonsense.

If one is sincere then he will not pray for things that otherwise may be received by hard work or other means, depending on what is at question. I would hate to pray for my daily bread unless I am really desperate and all other means have been useless.

[Sasun]

everything i write is a result of meditation. 

most christians prefer to read and quote the bible rather than to meditate. in other words, they let the scriptures do their thinking for them.../ ara

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Some people understand meditation as reflection in silence, which is essentially thinking. That's not what I mean by meditation.

[ara baliozian]

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

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FATHERS AND CHILDREN.

MUD IS MUD.

IN PRAISE OF MODERATION.

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As children we trust our elders and accept their simple answers to our questions. As adults we continue to behave like children when we are told patriotism or nationalism is good only when it is ours; or the word "homeland" is sacred only when it refers to our own homeland; or again, our mud is better than someone else's.

*

Silence contains the worst lies as well as the best truths.

*

The difference between a fanatic and a moderate is that a moderate suspects there are two sides to every question and if he is honest and objective he may have a better chance to understand reality.

*

If a writer cannot change our perception of reality, he might as well identify himself as an entertainer.

*

Never insult an Armenian writer: being one is insult enough.

#

[ara baliozian]

Thursday, September 30, 2004

**********************************

BUDDHA, SOCRATES, JESUS.

THE SEMANTICS OF RELIGION,

PHILOSOPHY, AND MYSTICISM.

GOOD AND EVIL.

GOD AND THE DEVIL.

****************************************************

Abandon old habits of thought. Do not even think in terms of good and evil, or right and wrong. Forget what you were taught. Get rid of all preconceptions: that’s the only way to grasp reality. This indeed is the central message of Buddhism.

*

Now compare this with Christianity’s “Love your enemy,” – an idea so new, so strange, and so much against the grain that after two thousand years of countless sermons in countless churches it has yet to penetrate our crocodilian brain. The only way to understand it is by abandoning all definitions, because (according to the recent academic discipline of semantics) words and their definitions are at the root of all our misconceptions and prejudices.

*

Abandoning all definitions: that’s also the mantra adopted by Socrates. In his dialogues Socrates begins by stating that he knows nothing and ends by proving that his interlocutors know even less. And who are his interlocutors? Generals, statesmen, philosophers – in short, la crème de la crème of Athenian society at the peak of its Golden Age. As the dialogues unfold, Socrates makes it abundantly clear that the commonly accepted definitions of such terms as justice, goodness, beauty, and courage are full of inconsistencies and contradictions.

*

What I am trying to say here has been said before by far better men than myself, among them Aldous Huxley in his PERENNIAL PHILOSOPHY, and Arnold Toynbee in the 10th volume of his STUDY OF HISTORY. The aim of all religions, schools of philosophy and mysticism is the same. It is only when religions acquire a power structure, a hierarchy and bureaucracy, rituals and mumbo jumbo that they betray the original intent of their founders and become instruments of the devil by legitimizing intolerance, fallacies, prejudice, hatred, war and massacre.

#

[Sasun]

As a child I was brought up to believe all prayers are eventually answered. If we assume that to be true, we must also assume that the millions of innocent civilians who were senselessly slaughtered during two world wars did not pray hard enough; and they did not pray hard enough probably because their faith in God was not of sufficient strength to meet God’s standards. Which also means that in some minimal way, they contributed to their own demise. This type of thinking is another proof of the fact that organized religions, and men of faith in general, are first and foremost in the business of dehumanizing not only their fellow men but also diminishing God. Because, if you think about it, what kind of God would allow children to be slaughtered simply because He was disappointed in the quantity and quality of their prayers? But then, what kind of God would ask a decent father to butcher his own son (see GENESIS) to test his loyalty? Can God be so insecure as to be in need of a poor mortal’s loyalty? And if He knows everything, shouldn’t he already know the answers to His own questions?

This is a primitive (and incorrect IMO) way of questioning. First and foremost, we should not think of God as another man with man's needs and man's way of thinking, otherwise we should conclude that God is a cruel and petty individual, which contradicts to the image of God who created a universe with so many beautiful wonders that we can't even fathom. If we don't understand even tiny parts of the creation, can we assume that such a primitive characerization of the creator is true?

The most underdeveloped countries are also the most religious. Two cases in point: Mexico and India. Where religion plays a central role, there will also be poverty, disease, corruption, prejudice, ignorance, and overpopulation. Are we to assume Mexican and Indian children deserve their fate because their parents did not pray hard enough?

India and Mexico are among the fastest growing developing countries. Statistics show that there is no correlation between development and religion. For example, the USA is significantly more religious than Russia, while Russia is far less developed than the USA.

If Armenians were slaughtered because they more or less deserved it, does that mean the Turks did what they did with God’s consent? Or perhaps Sultan Abdulhamid II and Talaat were His messengers?

 

Let's not single out Armenians. The world is a place where there are wonderful things and horrible things, many innocent people die, not just Armenians - this is reality. Horrific things happen and God doesn't seem to interfere. We should try to understand why instead of jumping to conclusions.

 

One thing that we should not forget - we all die one day.

 

Only the abysmally ignorant view criticism as an expression of hostility rather

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Criticism comes in different shapes, but it is seldom useful or an expression of concern. Generally people are against things and criticize for that reason, if they were concerned they would act in ways that actually would help rather than criticize.

Edited September 30, 2004 by Sasun

[Sasun]

Abandon old habits of thought. Do not even think in terms of good and evil, or right and wrong. Forget what you were taught. Get rid of all preconceptions: that’s the only way to grasp reality. This indeed is the central message of Buddhism.

 

Yes, I agree, but it must be understood in the right context. There is the Buddhist "Noble Eightfold Path". Buddha taught these which define and map out the Buddhist path to Enlightenment. If you forget these truths then you are not really on that path. One must believe in his path (but not dogmatize.)

Now compare this with Christianity’s “Love your enemy,” – an idea so new, so strange, and so much against the grain that after two thousand years of countless sermons in countless churches it has yet to penetrate our crocodilian brain. The only way to understand it is by abandoning all definitions, because (according to the recent academic discipline of semantics) words and their definitions are at the root of all our misconceptions and prejudices.

 

Abandoning all definitions: that’s also the mantra adopted by Socrates. In his dialogues Socrates begins by stating that he knows nothing and ends by proving that his interlocutors know even less. And who are his interlocutors? Generals, statesmen, philosophers – in short, la crème de la crème of Athenian society at the peak of its Golden Age. As the dialogues unfold, Socrates makes it abundantly clear that the commonly accepted definitions of such terms as justice, goodness, beauty, and courage are full of inconsistencies and contradictions.

 

There are different paths, althought there are many similarities there are also significant differences. Buddha's path is one path, and Christ's path is another. I am not trying to defend the organized church, but a Christian is not supposed to abandon all definitions like a Buddhist. The Christian path is the path of love and worship of God.

 

I must refer to Hinduism again. It recognizes 3 major paths to Knowledge - Path of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga), Path of Wisdom (Jnana Yoga) and path of Righteous Action (Karma Yoga). There are many flavors and variaties of these three, every single religion or spiritual path undoubtedly is made up of a composition of these 3 elements where some may outweight others. The Christian path is predominantly a path of Devotion and Righeous Act, while Buddhist path is that of Wisdom and Righteous Act. Feel free to pick any but to say that paths other than yours are wrong is wrong.

Edited September 30, 2004 by Sasun